Transmitter unit

Abstract

In order to improve a transmitter unit, especially for a hydraulic brake system, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position allows the connection between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position breaks this connection, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber for example to connected hydraulic brake cylinder, so that an escaping of air bubbles from the pressure chamber is more easily possible, it is proposed that in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Transmitter unit, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in the housing body,
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the cylinder chamber extends along a cylinder bore axis and in that the cylinder bore axis in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit is oriented substantially parallel or obliquely to the direction of gravity, 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; and 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston; 
 wherein the compression spring is provided outside the piston. 
 
     
     
       2. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the transmitter unit further comprises a piston compression spring that acts on the piston separate from said compression spring, wherein the piston compression spring is provided in the pressure chamber. 
 
     
     
       3. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing body encloses the pressure chamber, the reservoir and the connection channel. 
     
     
       4. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing body is a single piece. 
     
     
       5. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing body is made of plastic. 
     
     
       6. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure chamber comprises a tapered section, which narrows with increasing extent in the direction of a first mouth opening of the connection channel in the pressure chamber. 
     
     
       7. Transmitter unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the tapered section of the pressure chamber narrows increasingly opposite to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
     
     
       8. Transmitter unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the tapered section of the pressure chamber narrows continually. 
     
     
       9. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure disposition of the piston comprises a plurality of pressure positions of the piston. 
     
     
       10. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a guiding section is provided in the cylinder chamber, in which the piston is disposed and able to move in guided manner. 
     
     
       11. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston is subjected to force in the direction of the starting disposition, maximizing the volume of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
       12. Transmitter unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the piston is acted on by a piston compression spring. 
     
     
       13. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a first shoulder is provided in the cylinder chamber. 
     
     
       14. Transmitter unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the first shoulder is arranged between a guiding section defined by the cylinder chamber and a tapered section defined by the pressure chamber. 
     
     
       15. Transmitter unit according to  claim 13 , wherein a piston compression spring abuts against the first shoulder of the cylinder chamber. 
     
     
       16. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve unit comprises a valve seat. 
     
     
       17. Transmitter unit according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve seat is provided in the highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
     
     
       18. Transmitter unit according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve seat is provided in a tapered section of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
       19. Transmitter unit according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve body is arranged in the pressure chamber and co-operates with the valve seat. 
     
     
       20. Transmitter unit according to  claim 16 , wherein the valve body is subjected to force in the direction of the valve seat. 
     
     
       21. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit comprises a coupling element and a piston-side element acting on the coupling element in the starting disposition of the piston. 
     
     
       22. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve body of the valve unit and a coupling element of the coupling unit are formed as a single piece. 
     
     
       23. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection opening is arranged in an intermediate region of the pressure chamber, which is at a spacing from the highest end region of the pressure chamber relative to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection opening being an opening leading outwards the pressure chamber to a hydraulic line. 
     
     
       24. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a part of the pressure chamber is arranged between a first mouth opening of the connection channel in the pressure chamber and the connection opening. 
     
     
       25. Transmitter unit according to  claim 24 , wherein the connection channel in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit rises from the first mouth opening of the connection channel in the pressure chamber to a second mouth opening of the connection channel in the reservoir. 
     
     
       26. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a collecting region is provided beneath the reservoir relative to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
     
     
       27. Handlebar fitting for fastening to a handlebar including the transmitter unit according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a housing of the handlebar fitting provides the housing body of the transmitter unit and includes a handlebar fastening region adapted to fasten to the handlebar. 
 
     
     
       28. Vehicle, comprising a frame and at least two wheels rotatably mounted on the frame, wherein a transmitter unit according to  claim 1  in the functional orientation is arranged on the vehicle when ready to drive. 
     
     
       29. Vehicle according to  claim 28 , wherein the transmitter unit arranged on the vehicle is integrated in a handlebar fitting that additionally includes a handlebar fastener region. 
     
     
       30. An assembly comprising: a hydraulic brake system or a hydraulic clutch system that incorporates the transmitter unit of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       31. Transmitter unit of  claim 1 , wherein the connection opening routes pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber to a connected hydraulic brake cylinder. 
     
     
       32. Transmitter unit of  claim 1 , wherein the connection opening is provided in a sidewall of the cylinder chamber. 
     
     
       33. Transmitter unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression spring surrounds the piston, at least partly. 
     
     
       34. Transmitter unit, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in a housing body,
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the cylinder chamber extends along a cylinder bore axis and in that the cylinder bore axis in the functional orientation for the transmitter unit is oriented substantially parallel or obliquely to the direction of gravity, 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, 
 wherein the coupling unit coupes the piston and the valve unit to that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston, and 
 the transmitter unit further comprising a piston compression spring that acts on the piston separate from said compression spring, wherein the piston compression spring is provided in the pressure chamber; 
 wherein a collecting region is provided beneath the reservoir relative to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit, and 
 wherein the connection channel opens into the reservoir above the collecting region relative to the direction of gravity in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
 
     
     
       35. Handlebar fitting for fastening to a handlebar including a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit comprising:
 a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in a housing body, 
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the cylinder chamber extends along a cylinder bore axis and in that the cylinder bore axis in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit is oriented substantially parallel or obliquely to the direction of gravity, 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the vale unit and the piston, 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston; 
 the transmitter unit further comprising a piston compression spring that act on the piston separate from said compression spring, wherein the piston compression spring is provided in the pressure chamber; 
 wherein a housing of the handlebar fitting provides the housing body of the transmitter unit and that includes a handlebar fastening region adapted to fasten to the handlebar; and 
 wherein the housing body extends from the fastening region in a direction of extent to an actuation side and that the direction of extent runs obliquely to the direction of gravity in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
 
     
     
       36. A Handlebar fitting for fastening to a handlebar, comprising a handlebar fitting housing and a transmitter unit;
 wherein the handlebar fitting housing includes a handlebar fastening region adapted to fasten to the handlebar and provides a housing body of the transmitter unit; 
 the transmitter unit comprising: 
 the housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in the housing body, in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity; 
 wherein the cylinder chamber extends along a cylinder bore axis and in that the cylinder bore axis in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit is oriented substantially parallel or obliquely to the direction of gravity; 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit; 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; and 
 wherein the housing body extends from the fastening region in a direction of extent to an actuation side and that the direction of extent runs obliquely to the direction of gravity in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit. 
 
     
     
       37. Transmitter unit, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in the housing body,
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the cylinder chamber extends along a cylinder bore axis and in that the cylinder bore axis in the functional orientation of the transmitter unit is oriented substantially parallel or obliquely to the direction of gravity, 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; and 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston; 
 wherein the compression spring surrounds the piston. 
 
     
     
       38. Transmitter unit according to  claim 37 , wherein a part of the piston that is surrounded by the compression spring is a part of the coupling unit. 
     
     
       39. Transmitter unit according to  claim 37 , wherein a guide body of the piston is free of the compression spring and mounted slidable along a guiding section of the housing body. 
     
     
       40. Transmitter unit, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in the housing body,
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the housing body is a single piece providing a guiding section for guiding the piston, wherein opposed axial ends of the piston are entirely contained axially within the single piece for axial sliding movement therein; 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, and 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; and 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, and wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston; 
 wherein the compression spring is provided outside the piston. 
 
     
     
       41. The transmitter unit of  claim 40 , wherein the single piece alone guides movement of the piston. 
     
     
       42. Transmitter unit according to  claim 40 , wherein the compression spring surrounds the piston. 
     
     
       43. Transmitter unit according to  claim 40 , further comprising a piston compression spring that acts on the piston separate from said compression spring, wherein the piston compression spring is provided in the pressure chamber. 
     
     
       44. Transmitter unit, comprising a housing body, a piston which is arranged in a cylinder chamber of the housing body able to move between a starting disposition and a pressure disposition, a pressure chamber bounded by the housing body and the piston, a reservoir for the supply of hydraulic fluid connected by a connection channel to the pressure chamber, a valve unit, which in an open position opens the connection channel between the reservoir and the pressure chamber and in a closed position closes the connection channel, as well as a connection opening for the routing of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pressure chamber, wherein the connection opening is provided in the housing body,
 in a functional orientation of the transmitter unit, the connection channel opens into a highest end region of the pressure chamber in regard to a direction of gravity, 
 wherein the housing body is a single piece providing a guiding section for guiding the piston, wherein opposed axial ends of the piston are entirely contained axially within the single piece for axial sliding movement therein; 
 wherein the piston and the valve unit are coupled by a coupling unit, and 
 wherein the coupling unit couples the piston and the valve unit so that the coupling unit holds the valve unit in the open position when the piston is in the starting disposition and in the pressure disposition of the piston the coupling unit permits relative movement between the valve unit and the piston; and 
 wherein the valve unit includes a valve body, and wherein the valve body is acted on by a compression spring, wherein the compression spring abuts against the piston; 
 wherein the compression spring surrounds the piston. 
 
     
     
       45. Transmitter unit according to  claim 44 , wherein a part of the piston that is surrounded by the compression spring is a part of the coupling unit. 
     
     
       46. Transmitter unit according to  claim 44 , wherein a guide body of the piston is free of the compression spring and mounted slidable along the guiding section of the housing body.